Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton is facing an internal suspension.

The Mail on Sunday says Newcastle are preparing to suspend Barton themselves in a bid to head off a massive ban from the Football Association.

The club hierarchy fear Barton could be forbidden to play for as long as the entire coming season after being charged with violent conduct for assaulting then Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo in May 2007.

Newcastle are likely to propose that Barton be banned until the end of November and then hope that any extension allows him to return to action - and to availability for transfer - before next season finishes.